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Muiris Bartley from Fermoy, third from the right, with members of the Cork Leeside Lions ARF, that represented Ireland in the recent European Cup victory.

A young Fermoy man was part of the Irish team which won the 2013 AFL European Championship recently. Muiris Bartley got a goal in the final which saw Ireland defeat Great Britain 7-3 (45) to 6-8 (44).

Muiris, son of Fermoy businessman Jim Bartley of Bartley Phelan Financial Services and his wife Cliona, joined the Leeside Lions Aussie rules football team in 2011 and was lucky enough to be picked, in his first game, to go to Australia for two weeks playing with the World team in the Australian National Championships.

After he came back, in late July 2011, he was asked to play with the national team in the European Championships, held in Belfast. He went on to play with the Irish team that won the European Cup in October 2011, kicking the winning goal against Denmark in the final, which was held in Edinburgh. He also played on the Irish team in the European league in 2012.

The AFL European Championship final was held on August 10th at the DCU sporting grounds.  Muiris was among a number of members of the Cork Leeside Lions ARF on the Irish team.

Ireland won the final with a goal in the last kick of the game to beat Great Britain by a point. It was a brilliant experience, Muiris says and a great feeling to have been part of the team and having contributed to their win in the 16-a-side tournament.

"SPORTS MAD"

Muiris, who works in Cummins Sports in Fermoy, has just completed his Leaving Cert and will be heading off to UCC to further his studies. He's always been sporty, having played U15 and U16 football for the county and U19 rugby for south Munster. "I'm fairly sports mad" he agrees. Even a ruptured cruciate ligament in 2009, which necessitated two operations, didn't stop him. It put him out of action for a year and a half but he recovered well from the injury and returned to sport.

He loves Aussie Rules and intends continuing with the game he's enjoyed so much success with, in such a short time.

Muiris this week thanked Cummins Sports for allowing him the time off he needed to train and play in the run up to the European Championship and for their support generally. He also thanked those who provided sponsorship and supported him with encouragement and good wishes along the way.

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